• The 40 are part of the 312 scholars under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) run by Equity Bank


• The 40 will delve into the intricacies of app development, tackle technology challenges and exchange groundbreaking ideas.


• The scholars will join 400 other Equity Leaders Program scholars from across the region in Nairobi, Kenya for further incubation training.

Kampala, Tuesday 23^rd July 2024: Fifty exceptional university students are set to embark on transformative training and mentorship at the Equity Bank innovation hub, where they will delve into the intricacies of app development, tackle technology challenges and exchange groundbreaking ideas.<

This six-month-long incubation intensive program aims to boost their productivity and creativity. Following the initial training, the scholars will join 400 other Equity Leaders Program scholars from across the region in Kenya for further incubation training. This phase will expand their knowledge and provide invaluable insights into the tech industry.

he launch of the Equity Group Innovation Hub is pivotal, as Equity Group spearheads the transformative Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) to digitize value chains for 100 million customers. The initiative requires a pool of skilled technical talent and innovators.

The 40 scholars from the Equity Leaders Program Uganda are being trained by E&M Technology, a software development company specializing in financial industry innovations across East Africa. E&M Technology was founded and is run by Equity Leader Program alumni.

These scholars will be nurtured in a physical innovation hub setting, participating in workshops, sharing ideas, collaborating on projects and developing new solutions for socio-economic transformation including complex banking industry problems and cyber fraud.

The 40 were selected from over 300 Equity Leaders Program (ELP) scholars from across various districts in Uganda with an Equity Bank presence. The ELP program selects the best students based on their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB)

Speaking at the launch of the Equity Innovation Hub Uganda, Equity Bank’s Managing Director Anthony Kituuka highlighted the Bank's commitment to developing human capital through the Equity Leaders Program and technology. "Equity has taken a step to equip the younger generation with a diversity of technology and innovative skills to solve future banking sector challenges in Uganda and Africa”.

He added, "In a world where technology is solving everyday complex life challenges and enabling development, individuals must stay ahead of the curve and continually enhance their skills to adapt to the rapidly changing global dynamics.”

Established in 1998, the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) is a rigorous leadership development initiative for top-performing students and has benefited over 24,000 scholars across the East Africa region. Its goal is to create a community of transformative leaders who work together across borders and various sectors to drive sustainable economic growth and social progress in Africa.

The program also aims to empower young, academically gifted scholars by supporting their access to education in global universities. ELP has sent five (5) scholars from Uganda and over 900 scholars from other Equity Group subsidiaries to prestigious universities such as MIT, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton.

Equity Bank Managing Director Anthony Kituuka addressing the ELP scholars.

From left to right, Head of marketing Clare Tumwesigye, Managing Director Anthony Kituuka, ELP Program Manager Elizabeth Wahito and E&M Technology co-founder Eliud Njogu pose for a photo with the ELP scholars

ELP Scholars cut cake together with Equity Group Foundation Director Mr Sam Mwaya, Equity Bank and E&M technology team members.

ELP Scholars working during the Innovation Hub training.